I don't know the signalllllll. We'll be at the hotel with the blocked off rooms.

That's the La Quinta Inn!

Come say hi to me at the Capital City Bakery booth- I remember you from PPK and from VegWeb many years ago!

:) What was your name on VW? I will! I think we're also doing the drink thing on Friday night.

It's been so long that I had to go check! This profile is embarrassingly old. haha. I dont expect you to remember, because we didn't really interact much- I just remember you contributed a lot of photos to recipes when I was active on there!http://vegweb.com/index.php?action=profile;u=84187

AUSTIN, TX: Texas is going to get a whole lot healthier this Saturday thanks to Texas VegFest, an outdoor festival promoting and celebrating plant-based diets for a healthier, more sustainable future.

The event will be held Saturday, March 31st at Fiesta Gardens in East Austin.

World-famous vegan cookbook authors Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero will headline this year's festival. Moskowitz's and Romero's style of meatless cooking is sure to delight a state better known for its barbecue.

Healthy Eating Specialist Dan Marek will teach attendees how to make simple and delicious plant-based meals without sugar and oil.

Key speaker Dr. Michael Greger will demonstrate how a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains can be effective at preventing and reversing medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity.

Two-time natural bodybuilding champion, Robert Cheeke will tell his story of transforming from a skinny farm kid to champion vegan bodybuilder.

The event will also offer tasty plant-based foods, vendors, product sampling, kids' activities, live music and entertainment.

Plant-based diets have been gaining popularity in recent years. From Bill Clinton to Mike Tyson, Ellen DeGeneres to Steve Wynn, more and more celebrities have been adopting vegan diets, transforming what was once an obscure lifestyle into a popular way to address the growing health crises of type 2 diabetes and heart disease and the devastating effects of factory farming on the environment.

Attendees will learn that in addition to its powerful health-promoting aspects, a plant-based diet can be both delicious and easy to incorporate into one's lifestyle. From cupcakes to kale, there'll be something for everyone!

Texas VegFest headlining speakers will be available for news and radio interviews the day prior to the event. Local food vendors and cooking demonstrations will be made available for interview the week prior to the event.

Are there any parking issues at tonight or tomorrow's venues that us out-of-towners should be aware of? I've heard tbat parking in Austin is autrocious and Relays weekend is utter madness so I'm a lil bit worried.

I'm on my way over! I'll be sporting my PPK shirt, so say, "hi." I showed up to Vegan Drinks way late, but it was still kicking until last call. I'm told street parking should be easy to find at Fiesta Gardens.

Things I purchased: 2 tshirts from Herbivore, a handmade PPK apron (so pretty!) and a tub of Celeste's cookie dough.

So fun! I am still in a sugar coma.

They were all out of the salted caramel sundaes when I got to the Sweet Ritual booth, but I did get the faux butterfinger parfait (with chick-o-sticks!). I also ate the mac & cheese but don't know who hosted that booth - they had chili too but I wasn't in the mood for it.

There was so much good food but the heat kinda killed my appetite. I did get one of Celeste's brownies to take home.

_________________Again, you are all brilliant and sexy. And I am lavender-laden and secure in my masculinity. - Sir Brancis Facon

It was a great first fest and I had fun meeting everyone. I ate way too much every which way. Those rabbit muffins were off the chizzy. And I had my first real migas! And children left my demo because I was being off color. Also, I haven't really slept and one I'm watching Parking Wars in the hotel.

They were all out of the salted caramel sundaes when I got to the Sweet Ritual booth, but I did get the faux butterfinger parfait (with chick-o-sticks!). I also ate the mac & cheese but don't know who hosted that booth - they had chili too but I wasn't in the mood for it.

The Mac'n'Cheese was Happy Vegan Bakery. She makes a really good lentil and sweet potato shepherds pie that she sells at farmers markets, too.

I'm sorry I didn't get to see all of you there, but I'm so happy you all could make it!

It was a great first fest and I had fun meeting everyone. I ate way too much every which way. Those rabbit muffins were off the chizzy. And I had my first real migas! And children left my demo because I was being off color. Also, I haven't really slept and one I'm watching Parking Wars in the hotel.

Hopefully I'll be back soon. I miss Laser Ox already.

Yep! I saw you and Terry at the PPK booth but you guys were surrounded by people and I'm kind of shy, so I didn't go over. I didn't see anyone with PPK t-shirts around, but someone recognized my Teal Cat Project shirt so that was nice.

I enjoyed learning that the inside of my colon looks like barbecued seitan, that was neat!

_________________Again, you are all brilliant and sexy. And I am lavender-laden and secure in my masculinity. - Sir Brancis Facon

hee, and i met allychristine! woo! she is adorable in every way, right down to the avocado earrings. :)

i also met LaserOx although i technically didn't introduce myself. he is also adorable in every way, but i didn't notice any avocado earrings.

what a fun weekend. the event itself was super well-attended and there was lots to do, and it was awesome to hang out and eat ourselves silly. we did that aaalll weekend long and i gained 4 pounds to prove it. austin is DELICIOUS, y'all.

_________________i'm not around much, but that doesn't mean i don't love you.